Advocacy Update 2025 archive

Explore Advocacy Update articles by publication date.

2025

December

• Dec. 16 - The AADA applauded the FDA for proposing to permit use of a new sunscreen ingredient, bemotrizinol (BEMT).

• Dec. 9 - The AADA endorsed a House bill that would include an annual inflationary update to the Medicare physician fee schedule, the Academy’s top federal advocacy priority.

November

• Nov. 25 - A recent report by the Office of the Inspector General found that dermatologists are appropriately using Modifier 25 the vast majority of the time. The report was compiled in response to scrutiny by CMS of how dermatologists use the modifier.

• Nov. 18 - President Trump signed a bill to reopen the government with an extension of the lapsed telehealth flexibilities until Jan. 30, 2026. See how the bill impacts dermatology.

• Nov. 11 - The AADA joined over 30 other medical specialty groups demanding relief from the CMS efficiency adjustment in the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule.

• Nov. 4 - Dermatologists will see a slight payment increase for the first time in five years, according to the final 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) published on Oct. 31.

October

• Oct. 28 - After weeks of confusion, CMS allowed MACs to begin processing most claims with dates of service on or after Oct. 1, 2025.

• Oct. 21 - CMS reversed its decision to hold Medicare reimbursement payments. CMS has since indicated it will be processing and issuing payments in a timely manner.

• Oct. 14 - The Academy continues to monitor the current government shutdown and its impact on dermatologists. The Medicare program is covering and paying for physician services but will not cover telehealth visits.

• Oct. 7 - Despite the ongoing government shutdown, Medicare will continue processing and paying claims, and providers should not experience significant disruptions.

September

• Sept. 30 - With the potential failure of Congress to pass a funding package, the federal government will face a shutdown at midnight on Sept. 30.

• Sept. 23 - The Academy joined more than 30 medical organizations expressing concerns to CMS about the process for reviewing and selecting quality measures in MIPS.

• Sept. 16 - The annual AADA Legislative Conference concluded Sept. 9, with advocates participating in over 200 meetings with congressional offices to urge Medicare physician practice payment reform.

• Sept. 9 - During a record-breaking Legislative Conference, more than 200 dermatologists and patient advocates gathered in Washington to urge Congress to reform Medicare physician payment.

August

• Aug. 26 - The AADA joined the American Medical Association and other specialty and state societies to oppose the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act.

• Aug. 19 - The AADA met with Cigna to review its (E/M) Coding and Accuracy policy, which is set to target physicians who frequently report Level 4 and 5 codes starting Oct. 1.

• Aug. 12 - The AADA asked congressional leadership to support the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act by including it in the reauthorization of the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program.

• Aug. 5 - The AADA recently joined members of the SUNucate Coalition in endorsing a bipartisan bill that would streamline the FDA review process of the effectiveness and safety of new ingredients for non-prescription sunscreens.

July

• July 29 - AADA Vice President-elect Larry Green, MD, FAAD, represented dermatologists on behalf of SkinPAC at an event in Washington to urge support for Medicare physician payment reform.

• July 22 - The AADA submitted nomination materials recommending AADA Dermatopathology Committee Chair Alina Bridges, DO, FAAD, for membership on the CDC’s Advisory Committee to the Director.

• July 15 - Congress passed budget reconciliation legislation that included a one-year 2.5% increase for 2026 Medicare physician payments.

• July 1 - The Senate advanced their version of reconciliation tax and health legislation, which included a temporary one-year, 2.5% bump to the physician fee schedule for 2026.

June

• June 24 - The Senate Finance Committee released its draft tax and health care legislation as part of the budget reconciliation process.

• June 17 - The Rhode Island Dermatology Society (RIDS) urged legislators to delay action and continue working on medical spa legislation.

• June 10 - AADA President Susan Taylor, MD, FAAD participated in the House Republican Doctors Caucus roundtable in discussions on Medicare physician payment reform.

• June 3 - The AADA continues discussions with CMS advocating for revisions to recent CLIA requirements to ensure that all board-certified dermatologists are approved as lab directors of dermatology labs.

May

• May 20 - House committees advanced the budget reconciliation bill, which included a provision to reform the current Medicare physician payment cuts and tie annual updates to medical inflation.

• May 13 - The Senate introduces the AADA-endorsed Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act.

• May 6 - The AADA continues engaging CMS on revising CLIA laboratory director requirements.

April

• April 29 - The AADA urges CMS to address No Surprises Act burden requirements.

• April 22 - The AADA urges CMS to amend CLIA lab director requirements.

• April 15 - Leading medical societies call for action on Medicare physician payment reform.

• April 8 - AADA asks FDA to continue collaboration on AI-enabled medical devices guidance.

• April 1 - HHS announced a major restructuring to reduce full-time employees, consolidate divisions, and decrease regional offices.

March

• March 25 - AADA backs dermatologists on CLIA lab director requirements.

• March 18 - The AADA is outraged that Congress once again passed a government funding bill that did not include relief to stop this year’s 2.8% Medicare physician payment cut.

• March 11 - The AADA, joined by over 90 other physician and non-physician groups, called on congressional leadership to address Medicare reimbursement cuts.

• March 4 - The Academy urged CMS and CDC to recognize dermatologists as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) laboratory directors.

February

• Feb. 25 - As a direct result of AADA’s advocacy, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield rescinded its modifier 25 payment reduction policy.

• Feb. 18 - The AADA joined over 130 national and state physician organizations led by the AMA demanding Congress act to reform Medicare physician payment.

• Feb. 11 - The AADA President sent out a message encouraging members to urge their representative to cosponsor new Medicare legislation.

• Feb. 4 - The AADA is pleased that physician champions in the U.S. House introduced a bipartisan bill to address the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cut.

January

• Jan. 28 - The Academy asked the Trump Administration to work with Congress and CMS to prioritize Medicare payment reform and develop a solution to stabilize the physician payment system.

• Jan. 21 - On Jan. 16, MedPAC recommended linking the 2026 Medicare physician payment update to the growth in the cost of providing care, minus 1 percentage point.

• Jan. 14 - The 119th Congress started its new session and commenced with leadership elections in the House.

• Jan. 7 - Congress failed to stop 2025 Medicare payment cuts further fueling AADA members to contact their federal legislators.